Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert.
Sarah Jane Hayes (known as Jennie) was born in 1863 in Kaeo, Northland. She was the youngest child of John Daly Hayes and Sarah Mary nee Simpson. John was originally from Ireland and was an early settler in the north.
In July 1885, at her mother’s house in Kaeo Jennie married Albert Haywood Nisbet, a 22 year old bushman also from Kaeo. Albert was the third child of Canadian, Alexander Guild Nisbet and his NZ born wife Mary Rogers. Since he was 15y, he had been in partnership with his brothers, for bush contracts in the Northern Wairoa district. On his return to Whangaroa he engaged in farming in addition to bush work. Jennie and Albert had four children:
- Albert Edgar (1886 -1962)
- Louis (1888 – 1969)
- Charles Longford (1890 – 1962)
- Eileen Emily (1892 -1969)
In 1890 Albert was declared bankrupt. He had previously bush contracting in the Northern districts but gave it up through losses and became a butcher at Kaeo. For a time he did very well. He got a loan from his brother and some cattle on credit. Then he went back to contracting.
Son Charles served in WW1, he enlisted August 1914 served in Egypt and was discharged as medically unfit in December 1915. Albert took an active interest in local affairs, being a member at one time of the Whangaroa County Council, and was chiefly instrumental in forming the Whangaroa Dairy Company. He was also a member of the local Masonic Lodge and the Kaeo School committee.
Jennie died of pernicious anaemia in 1915, aged 52 years. She died in a private hospital, but address was given as Mason’s Avenue, Herne Bay, where Albert’s brother Charles and family lived. Jennie was buried in Kaeo Cemetery. Her probate worth 1500 pounds, and made “in her deathbed”, left the house in Kingsland to daughter Eileen and piano, paintings, silverware sideboard. An opal tiepin to son Charles, gold diamond brooch to daughter in law Conny. The homestead and 60 acres and 120 acres in Whangaroa to be left to Louis and Charles and equivalent cash given to Eileen and Albert.
Albert was a bred horses and member of the Whangarei Racing Club. He died in 1930, aged 67 in Kaikohe, where his son Charles lived, and was buried in the Kaikohe Public Cemetery. In his probate, worth 2000 pounds, he left son Albert his gold ring, son Louis a gold watch and his horse ‘Darkie’. Son Charles was a left a gold chain and greenstone pendant, chestnut horse, saddle and bridle. Only daughter Eileen left a horse named ‘Tom Morris’. The interest in property, real and personal estate to be sold for equal shares to the four children. William Arthur, who was named as one of the executors was in Suva and could not act as executor.
Jennie is the sister-in -law of #375 Lavinia Nisbet Kaeo and #375 Gertude Nisbet and #375 Agnes Nisbet Kaeo, and daughter-in-law of #375 Mary Ann Nisbet .
Sources
- Findagrave
- Intentions to Marry Kaeo 1885
- Archway probate Albert Sarah
- Historical BDMs
- Death certificate Sarah Jane Nisbet 24 Sep 1915 (sighted)
- PAPERS PAST Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 39, 17 February 1890, Page 2
- PAPERS PAST New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 14
- PAPERS PAST Northern Advocate, 16 August 1919, Page 3
- National Archives Military File Charles